Course Descriptions

MPA Courses

501 Introduction to Public AdministrationThis course introduces the history and practice of public administration in the United States at the national, state, and local levels. Topics include
public policy, organizational theory, budgeting procedures, intergovernmental administration, human resources, the ethics of public service, and the impact
of the information age.

Note: This will be a required course for all provisionally accepted students who begin the MPA program with undergraduate
degrees outside Public Administration. This course must be taken in the student’s first term and must be successfully completed with a final grade of
"B" or better to proceed as fully accepted in the MPA program.

503 Theories, Principles, and Practice of Public AdministrationThe course will focus on the classic writings that have framed the foundation of public administration over the past 120 years. The subject matter will
be taught with application to current public administration practice as its principle objective.

511W Graduate Writing & Research (non-credit)A practical study of academic and professional writing and research for adult learners, focusing on the mastery of the communication skills needed for
success in graduate school.

Note: This will be a required workshop for all provisionally accepted MPA Program students whose undergraduate degree cumulative
grade point average (GPA) is below 3.25. This workshop must be taken in the student’s first term and must be successfully completed with a passing grade
("Pass/Fail" grading) to proceed as fully accepted in the MPA program.

535 Applied Research MethodologiesThis course provides an opportunity for students to explore research that relate to administrative and technical processes using various research techniques.
Students undertake an in-depth review and critical investigation using qualitative and quantitative analysis. Students will be exposed to various tools
and techniques appropriate to applied research and will develop a research design based on an instructor-approved topic. The research design may be used
as a foundation for the capstone project.

545 Values and Ethics in Public AdministrationThis course is designed to create an awareness and sensitivity to the values and ethical issues inherent in public administration decisions. The importance
of ethics in maintaining public trust in the context of representative democracies will be emphasized. Classic moral philosophies will be studied as the
basis for the values and ethical practices in government today. In addition the legal requirements for complying with legislated ethical standards will
be studied.

605 Public Program Analysis and EvaluationProgram analysis and evaluation is a seminar designed to examine the theory and practice of public program analysis as it is conducted in complex political
environments.

609 Seminar In Public Financial AdministrationThis course presents the principles of financial management in the public sector. Topics include public sector operating and capital budgets, expenditures
and revenues, and financial reporting and analysis at the federal, state, and local level as well as the role of financial administration in promoting
the common good.

611 Values and Ethics in Public AdministrationThis course is designed to create an awareness and sensitivity to the values and ethical issues inherent in public administration decisions. The importance
of ethics in maintaining public trust in the context of representative democracies will be emphasized. Classic moral philosophies will be studied as the
basis for the values and ethical practices in government today. In addition the legal requirements for complying with legislated ethical standards will
be studied.

622 Non-Profit AdministrationThis course provides the student with an understanding of the role of non-profit organizations in the scope of public-private purposes. It examines the
role of boards and staff, vision and mission, funding and accountability, excellence in operations and sustainability.

623 Productivity Improvement in the Public SectorThis course examines techniques for measuring and improving productivity in public organizations. Current and historical public management theories will
be taught and analyzed.

635 Leadership in Public Purpose OrganizationsLeadership is essential in any organization for it to be effective. This course will review the very special characteristics of leadership in public purpose
organizations. Issues such as the impact of the political process on leadership, navigating media storms, leading and empowering employees, and maintaining
a focus on public purpose will be addressed.

647 Public Law and AdministrationThe role of public administrative law and procedure will be taught as it applies to both public and private decision-making. The effects of public administrative
law and rule making will be presented along with the oversight provided by legislatures and public policy processes inherent in making and sustaining
public policy.

650 PUBLIC/PRIVATE ENTERPRISEThis course will review the scope of public/private enterprise structures in the United States. Further, it will review the scope of public purchasing,
public/private partnerships, privatization of public services and contracting for public services from the private sector.

660 PUBLIC POLICY AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSThe this course. The historical context of the "Good Government Movement" of the Nineteenth Century; the rise of the professions in public management;
the issues of responsiveness and patronage will be taught and application made to current state and local government administrative practice. The political
process and public policy making will be examined, classic confrontation between "politics" and "administration" will also be examined

670 Public Planning and Changes ManagementThe classic management function of planning will be reviewed in its state and local government contexts. Emphasis will be placed on planning for change
management applications to social equity and on strategic planning in public decision making.

699 Capstone: Applied ProjectThe Applied Project is a supervised capstone for the master’s program. It is an independent, web-supported study with a graduate faculty mentor/instructor
and a professional in the field to guide relevance to current public administration practice. The project is designed to build from knowledge gained during
the program and to make connections between academic and professional work.